Beef Up Your Herd
Dairy producers have been utilizing beef sires to take advantage of strong markets throughout the past decade. Today, the beef industry needs animals produced on dairies due to high demand both domestically and internationally. Currently, about 20 percent of the beef market is filled by animals with dairy genetics.
“Beef Up Your Herd” described how to pick the right sires to make a dairy calf look like a beef calf. Industry experts explained the similarities and key differences of managing cross-bred feeder calves as compared to raising replacement dairy heifers. The importance of a specific marketing plan was also highlighted for this market diversification strategy.
The article appeared in the June 29, 2018 issue of Progressive Dairyman magazine and can be read here: https://www.progressivedairy.com/topics/herd-health/beef-up-your-herd